Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
HOW I HELPED TO RAISE THE OLD BEAR FLAG
HOW I HELPED TO RAISE THE OLD BEAR FLAG
By Henry Fowler, A Pioneer of 1844
The Bear Flag was made by William Tod, a relative of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, and hoisted while the prisoners were taken to Sutter's Fort. Tod was later captured by some Mexicans, but subsequently rescued.
The original Bear flag was made of the poorest quality of linen—an undergarment taken from a clothesline. Now the flag at present recognized is made of fair material. Besides, the bear is in a different attitude, being in the original just rising on his haunches, with both paws
extended, while in this he is on all four feet. The original is still in Pioneer Hall, San Francisco, and should be adopted. It is much worn and effaced, but the powder color remains together with slight traces of the red. Jacob P. Leese, General Vallejo’s brother-in-law, told me that after
his release from Sutter's Fort he wentdown to the river near by and saw a red Bear
flag floating on a launch. He gave a kanaka $5 to steal it for him, and this and Fremont's battle-flag, which had been stolen from the fort by Leese, were. taken by the latter and left with Jacob Snyder of Sonoma. What became of the Bear flag after that I do not know.
By Henry Fowler, A Pioneer of 1844
The Bear Flag was made by William Tod, a relative of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, and hoisted while the prisoners were taken to Sutter's Fort. Tod was later captured by some Mexicans, but subsequently rescued.
The original Bear flag was made of the poorest quality of linen—an undergarment taken from a clothesline. Now the flag at present recognized is made of fair material. Besides, the bear is in a different attitude, being in the original just rising on his haunches, with both paws
extended, while in this he is on all four feet. The original is still in Pioneer Hall, San Francisco, and should be adopted. It is much worn and effaced, but the powder color remains together with slight traces of the red. Jacob P. Leese, General Vallejo’s brother-in-law, told me that after
his release from Sutter's Fort he wentdown to the river near by and saw a red Bear
flag floating on a launch. He gave a kanaka $5 to steal it for him, and this and Fremont's battle-flag, which had been stolen from the fort by Leese, were. taken by the latter and left with Jacob Snyder of Sonoma. What became of the Bear flag after that I do not know.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Bear Flag at Will Rogers State Beach 1942
This is the Bear Flag flying at the dedication of Will Rogers State Beach. Will Rogers was a humorist during the first half of the 20th Century. The dedication took place on July 26, 1942 with California Governor Culbert Olson and L. A. Mayor Fletcher Bowron present for the festivities, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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